Gavin and Stacey remains one of the BBC’s most loved sitcoms (Picture: BBC)

‘It’s a funny world, entertainment. If an alien came down and they had to take a reading on planet Earth by just watching films or TV, they would imagine that if you are chubby, or fat, or big, you never really fall in love, you never have sex, certainly no one really ever finds you attractive,’ he explained.

He reasoned that, on Gavin and Stacey, Smithy has a depth of character that was often hard to find in the supporting roles.

James co-wrote and starred in the show with Ruth Jones from 2007 to 2010, giving us iconic characters like Larry Lamb’s Mick, Rob Brydon’s Uncle Bryn, and Sheridan Smith’s Rudi.

Since then, he’s been at the helm of the CBS show, creating internet sensation Carpool Karaoke starring the likes of Mariah Carey, Paul McCartney, and the actual First Lady at the time, Michelle Obama.